Real Estate Sector Seasonality

How S&P 500 real estate stocks have behaved through the calendar year, measured with XLRE, the Real Estate Select Sector SPDR Fund, over the last 11 years. Its strongest month has been July (average +3.31%, higher in 9 of 10 years), and its weakest September (−2.95%, higher in 3 of 10).

Real Estate seasonality chart

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Average year for XLRE over the last 11 years: it ends the year +7.4%, with its highest point around September 7 (+8.4%) and its lowest around March 23 (−3.2%). Each past year is rebased to 0% on January 1 and the years are averaged day by day. Rising stretches are when XLRE has tended to gain.

Real Estate stocks seasonality by month

XLRE has beaten the S&P 500 (SPY) on average in 5 of the 12 months, with its biggest edge in March (+1.08%). XLRE launched more recently, so its figures cover 11 years while SPY's cover 15, which makes this comparison rougher.

MonthXLRE avgHigher inSPY avg
January+0.26%5 of 10 yrs+1.28%
February−0.98%6 of 10 yrs+1.12%
March+1.65%6 of 10 yrs+0.57%
April+0.20%4 of 10 yrs+1.18%
May+0.57%8 of 10 yrs+1.03%
June+1.93%9 of 10 yrs+1.37%
July+3.31%9 of 10 yrs+2.70%
August+0.65%6 of 10 yrs+0.16%
September−2.95%3 of 10 yrs−1.16%
October−0.90%3 of 10 yrs+2.17%
November+3.12%7 of 11 yrs+3.29%
December+0.47%6 of 11 yrs+0.31%

From split- and dividend-adjusted prices, complete years only. See our methodology. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Real Estate stocks in the S&P 500

30 stocks, largest first by market cap as of November 2026. Open any one for its own seasonality chart and best months.

WELLWelltowerPLDPrologisEQIXEquinixAMTAmerican TowerSPGSimon PropertyDLRDigital RealtyPSAPublic StorageORealty IncomeVMRKVivmark Residential (formerly AvalonBay)VTRVentasCCICrown CastleCBRECBREIRMIron MountainEXRExtra Space StorageVICIVici PropertiesSBACSBA CommunicationsHSTHost Hotels & ResortsESSEssex PropertyKIMKimco RealtyINVHInvitation HomesWYWeyerhaeuserREGRegency CentersMAAMid-America Apartment CommunitiesDOCHealthpeak PropertiesCSGPCoStarCPTCamden PropertyUDRUDRBXPBXPFRTFederal Realty InvestmentAREAlexandria Real Estate Equities

Real Estate seasonality FAQ

What is the best month for real estate stocks?

Measured by XLRE over the last 10 years, July has been the strongest month, averaging +3.31% and rising in 9 of 10 years.

What is the worst month for real estate stocks?

September has been the weakest, averaging −2.95% and rising in 3 of 10 years.

Which stocks are in the real estate sector?

The 30 S&P 500 real estate stocks listed on this page, led by WELL, PLD, EQIX, AMT, SPG by market cap.

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